3d Map Marker

How important is local search?

Picture of by Web Design Southampton

by Web Design Southampton

We love crafting pixel perfect

How important is local search?

When it comes to SEO, there is a temptation to focus almost exclusively on the main search results. For many businesses, directing resources at a local search campaign may actually make more sense.

If you aren’t yet convinced that local SEO is a worthwhile use of your SEO budget, read on to discover exactly how important local search is.

1. Local search leads to local visits

Any businesses with a physical bricks and mortar location can benefit from local search. Why? Because it has been proven time and time again that a local search typically leads to a local store visit. That means if you’re looking to increase footfall to your shop, bar, restaurant, hotel or other business premises, it’s critical to be highly visible when local customers head online.

Two often cited research studies confirm this opinion:

  • 90% of search users will choose a search engine when they need to find local information
  • Local search has a high purchase intent with just 7% of non-local search leading to purchase within 24 hours, compared with 18% for those looking locally
  • Half of those who carry out a local search on a mobile device will visit a physical store within 24 hours

2. Local search visibility is linked to mobile and voice search visability

Mobile search volumes have exceeded desktop search volumes for a couple of years now making it the standard when it comes to search rankings and optimisation. Naturally, given that we turn to our smartphones more when we are out and about and away from our desks, a lot of mobile search is locally focused. The same goes for voice search – 63% of consumers try voice search when driving because they need local information.

Investing in local SEO and prioritizing local visibility is therefore an investment in mobile and voice search too.

3. It’s more competitive than ever

If you’re guilty of having neglected local search SEO in favour of traditional SEO, then it should be even more of a priority for you today. As smaller businesses have found themselves unable to compete with national firms for traditional search rankings, they have flocked to local search in order to at least win local business and/or capitalise on mobile and voice search trends.

Competition has been made harder still by the fact that the local search pack has shrunk over the last few years, so there are now fewer spots up for grabs on page one than ever before.

All of this means that if you haven’t invested in local search before now, time is of the essence. Fail to use local optimisation tactics going forwards and you might find that you’re missing out not just on mobile traffic, the higher purchase intent that comes with local search and voice traffic – you may be unable to get a footing on Google at all.

Need help getting your local SEO campaign off the ground? Contact us to find out how we can help. 

Web Design Southampton sig blue
Share this article
You might also like
Blue bubbles

High Bounce Rate? Here’s How To Fix It

How to Effectively Use Social Media for B2B Marketing Featured Image

How to Effectively Use Social Media for B2B Marketing?

set emojis in a speech bubble with a sad and happy mood

A beginner’s guide to online reviews as their importance soars

Boy with weird hat

Thought About Creating an LMS Platform? Why Now Is the Perfect Time

Contact Web Design Southampton

If you fancy having a chat about your Website Design. Please Contact Web Design Southampton by using the Contact Form or Request A Web Design Call.

Website Giveaway Term & Conditions

  1. The promoter of this competition is Web Design Southampton whose registered office is at Threefield House, Threefield Lane, Southampton, SO14 3LP
  2. The competition is open to residents of the United Kingdom aged 18 years or over.
  3. There is no entry fee and no purchase necessary to enter this competition.
  4. By entering this competition, an entrant is indicating his/her agreement to be bound by these terms and conditions.
  5. Route to entry for the competition and details of how to enter are via: www.webdesignsouthampton.co.uk/giveaway/
  6. Only one entry will be accepted per person. Multiple entries from the same person will not be counted.
  7. Closing date for entry will be midnight on 30/09/22. After this date, no further entries to the competition will be permitted.
  8. No responsibility can be accepted for entries not received for whatever reason.
  9. The rules of the competition and how to enter are as follows:
  10. The promoter reserves the right to cancel or amend the competition and these terms and conditions without notice in the event of a catastrophe, war, civil or military disturbance, act of God or any actual or anticipated breach of any applicable law or regulation or any other event outside of the promoter’s control. Any changes to the competition will be notified to entrants as soon as possible by the promoter.
  11. The prize is as follows: web design and build services from Web Design Southampton equivalent to £1500.
    This includes 1 Responsive website, up to 5 pages, 12 Months of hosting including our care plan, and 1 free domain name.
  12. The prize is as stated, and no cash or other alternatives will be offered. The prizes are not transferable. Prizes are subject to availability and we reserve the right to substitute any prize with another of equivalent value without giving notice.
  13. The winner will be chosen at random, from all entries received and verified by the Promoter and or its agents.
  14. Web Design Southampton reserves the right to refuse to build or design any website that in any way breaches UK law or may impact the company’s reputation. This includes, but is not limited to, any content relating to illegal drugs, hate speech, pornography, copyright infringement or counterfeit goods.
  15. A contract for web design, hosting and other web services will need to be entered into between the competition winner and Web Design Southampton.
  16. The winners will be notified by email within 14 days of the closing date. If the winner/s cannot be contacted or do not claim the prize within 14 days of notification, we reserve the right to withdraw the prizes from the winner/s and pick a replacement winner/s.
  17. The promoter’s decision in respect of all matters to do with the competition will be final and no correspondence will be entered into.
  18. By entering this competition, an entrant is indicating his/her agreement to be bound by these terms and conditions.
  19. The competition and these terms and conditions will be governed by English law and any disputes will be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England.
  20. The winner agrees to the use of his/her name and image in any publicity material, as well as their entry. Any personal data relating to the winner or any other entrants will be used solely in accordance with current UK data protection legislation and will not be disclosed to a third party without the entrant’s prior consent.
  21. The winner’s name will be available here: www.webdesignsouthampton.co.uk/giveaway/ and on Facebook, plus will be available 14 days after the closing date by emailing the following address info@webdesignsouthampton.co.uk
  22. This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook. You understand that you are providing your information to the owner of this website page and not to Facebook.
  23. By entering this competition you are agreeing to Web Design Southampton storing and using your information for marketing purposes. We will not share your information with third parties unless you specifically agree to us sharing these details and you can opt out at any time by unsubscribing from emails or emailing info@webdesignsouthampton.co.uk.